If your Apple TV can’t connect to Wi-Fi

If you can’t connect to Wi-Fi or play movies, songs, or other content on your Apple TV, learn what to do.

Follow the steps below if your Apple TV can’t connect to Wi-Fi. After each step, try to connect to Wi-Fi again.

If your Apple TV connects to Wi-Fi but you can’t watch and stream movies or TV shows in the Apple TV app, find out what to do.

Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi

Go to Settings > Network. Or on Apple TV (3rd generation), go to Settings > General > Network. Choose the name of a compatible Wi-Fi network to join. If asked, enter your Wi-Fi password. If you don’t know your password, get help.

Apple TV can’t connect to captive networks, which are networks that require an additional or secondary login. Captive networks can include free and pay networks in places like businesses, schools, dorms, apartments, hotels, and stores.

Apple TV might be able to join some education or business networks that use a profile. Ask the network’s system administrator for more information.

Check that everything’s on, connected, and in range

Make sure that your internet router is connected to your modem and that both are powered on. If your router and modem are combined, make sure that the device is powered on.

If possible, keep your Apple TV and Wi-Fi router in the same room, but don’t place your Apple TV directly on or within a foot of your router. Try to avoid physical obstructions in the path of your wireless signal, especially metal surfaces. For the best experience, connect your Apple TV directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable.

Restart your Apple TV, router, and modem

After you restart each device, see if you still need help. Go to Settings > System and select Restart. Or on Apple TV (3rd generation), go to Settings > General and select Restart.

Unplug your router and your cable or DSL modem from power. Then plug them back in.

Use an Ethernet cable and check for software updates

Try connecting your Apple TV directly to your router, or cable or DSL modem using an Ethernet cable. Apple TV connects to internet with either Wi-Fi or Ethernet. When you use an Ethernet cable, Apple TV automatically uses that connection instead of your Wi-Fi network.

Then, join your network and check for software updates. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates. Or on Apple TV (3rd generation), go to Settings > General > Update Software. If there’s an update, install it. Then unplug your Ethernet cable and try to join your Wi-Fi network again.

Published Date: May 20, 2021

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